Frost has been a popular target among elite programs searching for new head coaches after inheriting a UCF team that went 0-12 in 2015 and steering the No. 15 Knights to an 11-0 run so far this season.

UCF leaders, however, aren’t so sure Frost will be leaving.

The Knights are confident about what they are building with Frost, but raises that could easily soar north of $4 million beyond his current $1.7 annual salary before bonuses along with a chance to play for a national title could be tough to ignore.

Riley’s firing seemed imminent for months, with Nebraska fans openly courting Frost, the quarterback for the 1997 Cornhuskers team that split the national title with Michigan, to take over the program.

Nebraska is far from the only school eager to recruit Frost, a former Oregon offensive coordinator whose offensive philosophy has been influenced by Kelly’s rapid-fire attack with the Ducks and elements of legendary Nebraska coach Tom Osborne’s tactics, among others.

Pictures from UCF's game against USF at Spectrum Stadium on November 24, 2017.

Kelly, Frost’s former boss at Oregon, told ESPN Saturday he had accepted the UCLA job. The Gators seemed to be closing in on Kelly as their top target, but on Friday a source confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that UF is moving on to other options.

ESPN reported Florida officials were set to meet with Frost’s representatives in Orlando this weekend.

After a thrilling 49-42 win over rival USF Friday, Frost said he should delete his social media accounts to avoid false rumors about his future running rampant online.

“I’m my representative and I’m going to be with my wife and baby,” Frost shot back when asked about the ESPN report.

Frost also spoke warmly about the Knights, who delivered the first undefeated regular season in school history and have overcome numerous obstacles to achieve great success a year earlier than many expected.

“This place is really special,” Frost said. “I saw a glimpse tonight of what it could be. We started at the bottom two years ago. I knew we could be good. I didn’t think it would happen this fast.

“We’re not done yet. That’s a pretty emotional feeling when you see your plan work.’’

Nebraska fans are hoping a recent Bleacher Report tweet Nov. 18 stating Frost’s representatives were close to agreeing to a seven-year deal worth $35 million with the Cornhuskers proves to be the final answer.

“That’s just totally false,” Frost said a week ago when asked about the report. “I haven’t paid any attention to all of these whirlwind rumors and everything and I’m not going to. I got an unbelievable team I’m coaching and I can promise you that no decision has been made.”

Before Nebraska could really court Frost, athletics director Bill Moos had to announce Riley's dismissal Saturday. The Cornhuskers coach was under contract through February 2021 and is due a buyout of more than $6.6 million.

Nebraska finished the season 4-8 after a 56-14 loss at home to Iowa on Friday. The four wins were the program's fewest since going 3-6-1 in 1961.

Riley was 19-19 and lost 12 of the last 18. Nebraska had losing records two of Riley's three seasons.

Riley was 19-19 and lost 12 of the last 18. Nebraska had losing records two of Riley's three seasons.

Nebraska athletics director Bill Moos talked with reporters Saturday about a variety of potential candidates for the job and made it clear he’s interested in Frost.

“He’s in the heat of trying to win a conference championship,” Moos said of Frost.

“... Scott is someone that I am considering, but I’m being very sensitive to the fact that he's still coaching a team and he's having a heck of a run.”

UF and Nebraska are the hottest vacancies linked to Frost, but there are numerous other big jobs up for grabs. Tennessee is hunting for a new coach, Texas A&M is expected to part with Kevin Sumlin as early as Saturday and Arkansas fired Bret Bielema Friday.

UCF is trying to show Frost he should build on what he’s started in Orlando, a place where he and his young family have quickly grown comfortable.

The Knights have broken ground on new facility upgrades and established a fundraising campaign to help give UCF football assistant coaches significant bumps in pay. Frost has personally donated to the fund.

Frost has a close bond with the recruits who have helped him quickly turn around the UCF program.

Tony Dungy, one of Frost’s mentors, posted on Twitter Oct. 17 Nebraska missed its chance to interview Frost when the school hired Riley. Dungy later replied to a Nebraska fan by writing other programs missed big opportunities as well and money “will not be the biggest factor with him. And [that’s] one of the reasons he’s going to be successful.”

Athletics directors traditionally respect coaching candidates’ right to finish a regular season and any conference championship games before having one-on-one conversations about new job offers.

With a win over USF, UCF is now set to host No. 20 Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game next Saturday.

As a result, Frost’s name is sure to continue to be linked to job openings, but it’s unlikely any movement takes place before the Knights play for a conference championship.